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The inundated forest of the Tonle Sap is also a fascinating new excursion from Siem Reap. Only accessible by boat, the forest is immerged from the month of June to March and is the natural habitat of numerous wild birds.

The lost temple of the Beng Mealea can be now visited by adventurous travelers from October to June. Taking a pick-up car to go through the jungle and discover the 11th century temple is an exciting adventure only few people can experience.

The Pansea Angkor guesthouse is now scheduled to open on 15th August 2001, followed by the Angkor Century guesthouse which opens in October. However, the Victoria guesthouse still is under construction. Other local hostels are being built, giving a larger choice of guesthouse to travelers in Siem Reap.

There are now 4 airlines offering early morning flights from Phnom Penh to Siem Reap, such as: Royal Air Cambodge, Siem Reap Airways, President Airlines and Royal Phnom Penh Airways. Luggage allowance has been increased from 10 to 20 kg.

Temple Pass:
Since May 2000, the private company Sokha guesthouse handling the entrance fees to Angkor Complex has implemented a new control system. Visitors should bring along 2 ID-sized photos. One picture will be needed for the Cambodian visa upon arrival, the other for the Temple pass. There are no extra charges for pictures taken at the checkpoint, if needed. The whole process takes around 5 minutes.

Visitors buying a one-day pass don't need a photo.

Not new is that travelers to Siem Reap always think their stay was too short to see Angkor. Tours are adapted to cover the most interesting temples of the complex but in a very short time, according to the demand. From the general opinion, Siem Reap on its own deserves at least a 4-day visit!

The best months are from November to February, when temperature is cool and humidity low, just after the rainy season.

Since the last national election, a new era of peace and political stability is taking roots in the country, giving travelers a chance to discover the deepest heart of the Kingdom.

However, there are still some places where travelers should not go without an experienced local guide, as the problem of mines is still present in the countryside.

Moreover, soldiers who do not like to be disturbed during their transactions with their neighbors, control some regions sharing the border with Thailand and Laos as well as the Cardamons. We advise you to avoid these destinations during your visit to Cambodia.

It is easy to obtain a tourist visa (validity: 30 days) upon arrival at the airports of Phnom Penh and Siem Reap (with a valid passport of six months beyond your visit and two ID-sized photos).

Visas are available upon arrival at Pochentong International Airport in Phnom Penh, Siem Reap International Airport, Poi Pet (border to Aranyaprathet, Thailand), Koh Kong (border to Hat Lek, Thailand).

Visas are required prior to arrival at Bavet (border to Moc Bai, Vietnam), Kham Samnor (border to Chau Doc, Vietnam). To cross the border at Voeun Kam (border to Laos), one needs a special permit of the Foreigners Office in Stung Treng.

Each traveler has to complete immigration and customs declaration forms during the flight and must submit it upon arrival. Tourists and non-residents, carrying over USD 10.000 in cash or its equivalent, must declare it.

Immigration formalities are quicker when travelers already hold their visa.

Never drink tap water - purified, bottled water is available everywhere.

Use an insect repellent against mosquitoes and be careful to protect yourself against dehydration, heat exhaustion and sunburn.

Eating in hostels and local restaurants booked by travel-here is safe. Food served in the streets, at the markets and other small local restaurants is best avoided especially for raw food, peeled or cut fruits and ice cubes.

Wearing shorts and T-shirts is acceptable even in the complex of Angkor. Please note, however, that for the visit of the Silver Pagoda in the Royal Palace (Phnom Penh), visitors are asked to dress more formally (long clothes).

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Cambodia hostels and Online Reservations

hostels in Phnom Penh | hostels in Siem Reap Phnom Penh Nightlive Phnom Penh hostels, the capital of Cambodia. Located at the confluence of three rivers - The Mekong, the Bassac and the Tonle Sap. This colonial city was once considered the loveliest city of Indochina and it still maintains a high degree of charm. Royal Palace, The Silver Pagoda, The National Museum and Wat Phnom also the well known tourist sights in Cambodia. These places have many interesting markets selling silk, silver and antiques. Also worthwhile are visits to the notorious "Killing Fields" and the Tuol Sleng Prison and Museum which chronicles the ruling years of the Khmer Rouge.
Battambang Battambang, the second largest city in Cambodia and located in a rich and fertile plain , which provides much of the rice and other important crops for the country. The Sangker River cuts through the town center, which is filled with interesting colonial architecture. The region has numerous Angkorian and pre-Angkorian sites. Some of the most interesting are Wat Ek Temple, Wat Baset Temple and Phnom Banon.

Siem Reap TemplesSiem Reap hostels, a charming city with a river flowing through the center of the town and also one of the greatest religious monuments in the world. There are plenty of diversions can be found in the city for most of the visitors to spend their time to explore other then the ancient temple ruins. The Tonle Sap Lake, located in the heart of Cambodia, boat tours offer visitors a glimpse into the traditional Khmer way of life. There are many worthwhile excursions here like floating villages, sunset cruises and tours of the Bird Reserve of Prek Tuol. Touring the nearby pagodas, visiting the local stone and wood-carving school or seeing nearby silk farms is also interesting options.

Kampot Kampot, it is once again developing a reputation as an appealing retreat with quiet beaches and wonderful seafood. It is located on the bank of the Kamchay River and acclaimed for the beauty of its forests, waterfalls and an amazing view of the Gulf of Siam. The seaside guesthouse of Kep is located 30 km from Kampot, it is a beautiful coastal area was once the favorite holiday spot for Cambodia's French-influenced elite.

SihanoukvilleSihanoukville, is Cambodia's only deep-sea port. The beaches of Sihanoukville remain among the most unspoiled ones in Southeast Asia although tourism has increased in recent years. It is a perfect getaway with facilities for swimming, snorkeling, scuba diving or just sunbathing are the perfect getaway. Boat trips are also available to many of the nearby islands.
Shoes are always removed at the entrance to pagodas.

The Riel is the local currency but the US Dollar is widely accepted and used in most transactions (3,800. Riel to one U.S.D, June, 01). Credit cards, Traveller's cheques, foreign currencies are accepted in hostels and major banks. It is recommended to carry U.S. Dollars in small denomination notes.

Khmer is the official language but English is well spoken in Phnom Penh and Siem Reap, followed by French. In the countryside, people only speak Khmer.

No vaccinations are required for entry to Cambodia. Visitors are advised to check in their own country regarding protection against malaria, typhoid, hepatitis A and B.

There is no problem to find a foreign doctor or dentist in Phnom Penh. International SOS already strongly established in Phnom Penh has sent one of their doctors to Siem Reap.

Foreign medicines can be easily bought in main towns.

Khmer cuisine is closely related to its neighboring countries, although it is not as spicy. The Amok (fish preparation with coconut milk and spices) is one of the best Cambodian dishes. There is a wide variety of dishes such as curries, stir-fried vegetables, noodles, soups and all meals are served with steamed rice. Western food is provided only in the major cities although other Asian dishes are widely available.

Markets are the best place for shopping and all prices should be bargained. Cambodia produces excellent quality of silk, as well as cotton sarongs. The Krama is the traditional checked cotton (or silk) scarf used by local people. It is also easy to find stones, wood copies of ancient Khmer art, metal work, etc. When buying jewelry, visitors should be careful, as gems are often fake.

The export of antiques is subject to approval by the Ministry of Culture.

Major hostels and restaurants add a 20% service charge and tax on bills. If not included in the bill a 5% tip would be apppropriate if service was satisfactory. For porters, 1,000 Riel per bag is sufficient.

Phnom Penh is a nice place to go out in the evening but remember

Other Cambodian Culture, DO'S and DON'TS.

- Do not rub or touch a Cambodian's head. it is consider the most important part of the body.
- Don't use your feet to point at someone.
- Don't walk over a person's feet.
- Respect cambodian elders (they are older than and had more experiences in life than).
- Dont' start to eat when you are a guest at the dinner table before your host has taken a bite.
- Cambodians holding hands is considered friendship and not gays.
- Don't burp while eating.
- Don't pick your teeth while eating.
- When you walk between two cambodians talking, bow a little as you across them (it is really rude to walk straight through them without bowing a little).
- Always greet your guest by a drink or place fruit or snacks for them if they are coming over to your home.
- When you are the bride and groom, at your wedding both families greet and welcome their friends and everyone.
- When you are engaged or married, sit bending your knees on the side and look down and not straight at your family in law (the parents) because it is respectful to do.
- When you sit, women must sit knees bent and legs to the side.
- It is honourable for a woman to be able to cook meal and do everything in kitchen.

- When you get into Temple you have to take off you hat, drive bicycle or motorcycle slowing.
- you have to take take off your shoes befor getting into Preah Vihea or get up/get into monk's Kuthi.
- You have to sompeah when you speak or listen to the monks.
- You have to reply monks by use the word "kyom konaa" or "konaa
- You have to call monks "Preah Dekjakun or Dekjakun"
- You have to dress close most of your body when you go to temple. By not use much lipstick, much powder or most jewelry.
- If you are young, have to brave to speak with monks, because monks always not self-centered with you and they will try to teach you how to speak and act politely.
- When you are sitting in front of monks or old ages you have to sit bending you knees(bot jerng). Not sit on place which higher than them.
- When you across monk by the way you have to take off your hat.